The Chungcheongnam-do Election Commission announced on the 21st that it has filed a complaint with the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office against Mr. B, the president of Organization A, on suspicion of making an illegal donation for a prospective candidate in relation to the upcoming April 2 by-elections and re-elections.
Additionally, on the 20th, the commission reported six individuals, including the current chairperson of a local council, to the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on suspicion of making illegal donations by purchasing holiday gifts with council business expenses and providing them to their staff.
Mr. B is accused of providing holiday gifts in January to Mr. C, an executive of Organization A and an eligible voter in the constituency, for the benefit of a prospective candidate.
The six individuals, including the local council chairperson, are suspected of repeatedly providing holiday gifts worth approximately 8.6 million KRW to staff members from 2022 to 2024 using business expenses, and disclosing the donor's name via KakaoTalk and other means.
According to Articles 112 and 113 of the Public Official Election Act, candidates for local council (including those intending to become candidates) are prohibited from making donations to voters in their constituency or to individuals connected to those voters. Article 115 further stipulates that no one may make or cause to be made any donation in relation to an election for the benefit of a candidate (including those intending to become candidates).
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